Families at risk as shutdown of outdated meters nears

MP CALLS FOR MOVE TO BE POSTPONED AS THOUSANDS STILL USING RTS TECHNOLOGY

- By DALE SPRIDGEON Local Democracy Reporter

LOW-INCOME and vulnerable families could face higher bills and issues with their heating and hot water amid the imminent phase-out of older-style electric meters.

RTS meters were introduced in the 1980s and use outdated radio signals to switch between peak and off-peak rates. The process to turn them off is due to start on June 30.

Dwyfor Meirionnydd MP Liz Saville Roberts has called on the UK government to delay the RTS shutdown until all affected households are fitted with alternative meters.

Data from Ofgem shows there are approximately 790 RTS meters still being used in Dwyfor Meirionnydd, with around 11,000 still in use across Wales.

They were designed to help households using electricity for heating and hot water, including electric storage systems, panel heaters or water tank immersion heaters.

The Plaid Cymru MP [pictured] says if they are not replaced, some heating and hot water systems could stay on all the time, not come on at all, charge at the wrong time, or turn on and off at odd times.

She raised the matter in Westminster during a debate last week on broadband and connectivity.